Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie has teamed up for the first time with Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp in The Tourist.

The romantic action film, which opens worldwide on Friday, sees Depp's math teacher character falling for Jolie's femme fatale as she spins a web of mystery amid a backdrop of Paris and Venice.

Jolie, 35, spoke to Reuters about the film, her co-star Depp, and coping with her six kids in busy airports.

Q: Your character tells Johnny Depp 'Women don't like questions.' Do you see this forceful woman in yourself?

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A: "I got out of my pajamas to come to work today, so maybe I seem more like her than I really am. You try to bring in to each character something you can relate to, but she's written in as a traditional femme fatale, but in fact she has a big heart."

Q: Have you ever been in a movie where you have to carry off as much elegance and wear so many beautiful dresses?

A: "No. It was fun for a while, but I was really happy when it was over to get into my slacks, T-shirts and boots and not be in hair and makeup."

Q: It must be tough being a tourist for you. Where's the strangest place you've been recognised?

A: "It's more the opposite. I had a lovely experience once in Africa working with the UN when a president of a country met me about refugee issues and said 'What do you do?' I said 'I'm an actor.' He replied 'I heard that was a very difficult job and might not be the smartest job to do.' It was lovely. He was warning me about doing it."

Q: Is the pre-celebrity lifestyle something you miss?

A: "I'm not somebody to complain about it. I feel lucky to have all the opportunities given to me and I am very grateful, but I do feel it for my children. In Paris you see the Champs Elysees, there are these beautiful Christmas lights and I want to get out of the car and walk around, see the carousel, but we can't really. We tried and we had about 20 people behind us and it wouldn't have been a good experience for the children."

Q: Speaking of the children, have you ever had that moment with your kids when they melt down in the supermarket?

A: "I had it at the airport a few times. Usually I believe in letting them go through with it if they are going to scream and cry and if it's just a tantrum not to pay too much attention. But it's so very hard to do when there's a bunch of people around. I think Maddox figured it out that this is a place where I have to appease the tantrum ... We try to be referees. (We've been given) referee cards, Brad (Pitt) has the cards and me a whistle."

Q: Do you think you'll stop at six children?

A: "We're open, but we're having that real discussion about how to make the balance as they get older and their needs grow."